Machine of the tobacco-processing industry

ABSTRACT

Machine and method of the tobacco-processing industry. The machine includes a processing unit and a paper delivery unit structured and arranged to deliver paper to the processing unit. The processing unit is provided for wrapping a rod-shaped product with the paper. A gluing unit is structured and arranged for gluing the paper in a gluing position of paper travel, and a moistening device, structured and arranged for moistening the paper, is arranged before the gluing position in a direction of paper travel. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of European Patent Application No. 03 09 0187.0 filed Jun. 20, 2003, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention is directed to a machine of the tobacco-processing industry with a paper delivery unit for delivering paper to a processing unit in order to wrap a rod-shaped product with paper. In this manner, the machine has a gluing unit for gluing the paper in a gluing position of paper travel, as well as a corresponding paper gluing process.

[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information

[0005] From German Patent Application No. 198 06 673 A1 it is known to use a covering paper having a layer of glue already applied by the paper manufacturer. In the filter-attaching machine, the layer of glue is activated by delivery of water. This is achieved by filling the usual gluing unit of the filter attacher with water only.

[0006] In European Patent Application No. 1 269 870 A1, a filter attacher includes a heating element arranged behind the gluing mechanism. With the heating element, the glued covering paper is dried to a moisture content of 4% or less. The moisture content of the paper can be measured before and after the heating element by suitable moisture sensors, and the heating output of the heating element can be regulated as a function of the output signals of the moisture sensors.

[0007] If the adhesive strength of the glued paper is not optimal, problems can arise, particularly in the processing unit. This is true, for example, if the adhesive strength is not sufficient to cause adequate adhesion of the paper. Such problems can lead to unwanted down times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a machine that reduces problems due to non-optimal adhesive strength of the glued paper.

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a moistening device for moistening paper that is arranged in front of the gluing position in the direction of delivery of the paper.

[0010] The adhesive strength of the glued paper in the processing unit depends on the moisture of the paper. The moisture of the paper can fluctuate depending on paper quality, conditions of transport or storage or other circumstances, such that fluctuations may arise only sporadically. Moreover, as the usual moisture of the paper supplied by the paper manufacturer is frequently below an optimal moisture range, by moistening the paper according to the invention, the adhesive strength of the paper can be improved in the subsequent processing unit. In this way, the problems and down times on account of non-optimal adhesive strength of the glued paper can be reduced. Critical for the success of the invention is the arrangement of the moistening device before the gluing position. The arrangement of one part of the paper delivery device “before” or “after” another part of the paper delivery device means, within the scope of this application, a corresponding arrangement referred to the direction of delivery of the paper. The same applies to an arrangement of one part of the paper delivery device “between” two other parts of the paper delivery device.

[0011] The invention is applicable in particular to covering paper for connecting filters and tobacco sticks in a filter attacher of a cigarette production machine; to cigarette paper for wrapping tobacco rods in a continuous rod unit of a continuous rod machine; and to filter wrapping paper for cigarette filters in a filter-making machine.

[0012] In order to be able to carry out adaptation of the quantity of moistening to the respective conditions, for example, different initial moisture and penetration and wetting capacity of the paper supplied by the paper manufacturer, control of the quantity of moistening preferably is performed. Preferably, control or regulation of the quantity of moistening is performed as a function of a signal emitted by one or more moisture sensors by means of a suitable regulating device. For this purpose, the paper delivery unit appropriately has a first moisture sensor arranged before the moistening device for measuring the paper moisture, whereby, as a rule, the lower the measured moisture, the higher the quantity of moistening. For precise regulation of the paper moisture to the desired value, preferably a second moisture sensor arranged between the moistening device and the gluing position is provided. Furthermore, preferably a third moisture sensor arranged after the gluing position can be provided in order to be able to carry out regulation as a function of the moisture of the glued paper. By continuous on-line regulation, interruption of production can be avoided.

[0013] Preferably, the paper to be glued has a moisture of more than 4%, further preferably at least 6%, and is further preferably within the range from 6 to 10%, optimally within the range from 6 to 8%.

[0014] If a gluing nozzle is used in the gluing device, its wear may, under certain circumstances, be reduced, as moistened paper exhibits a reduced coefficient of friction.

[0015] The present invention is directed to a machine of the tobacco-processing industry. The machine includes a processing unit and a paper delivery unit structured and arranged to deliver paper to the processing unit. The processing unit is provided for wrapping a rod-shaped product with the paper. A gluing unit is structured and arranged for gluing the paper in a gluing position of paper travel, and a moistening device, structured and arranged for moistening the paper, is arranged before the gluing position in a direction of paper travel.

[0016] In accordance with a feature of the invention, the moistening device can include a control device to control a quantity of moistening.

[0017] A first moisture sensor, arranged before the moistening device, for measuring paper moisture. Further, a second moisture sensor may be arranged between the moistening device and the gluing position for measuring the paper moisture. Still further, a third moisture sensor can be arranged after the gluing position for measuring the paper moisture.

[0018] According to another feature of the present invention, a moisture sensor can be arranged between the moistening device and the gluing position for measuring the paper moisture.

[0019] In accordance with still another feature of the instant invention, a moisture sensor may be arranged after the gluing position for measuring the paper moisture.

[0020] According to still another feature of the invention, a regulating device for regulating the moistening device as a function of at least one signal provided by at least one of the first, second and third moisture sensor.

[0021] Moreover, the moistening device can be structured so that the paper to be glued has a moisture greater than 4%, and the paper to be glued has a moisture of at least 6%.

[0022] Further, the moistening device may be structured so that the paper to be glued has a moisture of not greater than 10%, and the paper to be glued has a moisture of not greater than 8%.

[0023] In accordance with another feature of the invention, the moistening device can include an atomizing device. Further, the atomizing device can include an ultrasonic atomizer.

[0024] The moistening device can have a capsule housing for confining the water leaving the moistening device. Moreover, the capsule housing can be arranged to abut against the paper.

[0025] According to another feature of the invention, the moistening device may be positionally adjustable.

[0026] The present invention is directed to a method for gluing paper in a machine of the tobacco-processing industry. The method includes moistening the paper before gluing.

[0027] In accordance with a feature of the invention, the method can further include, before moistening the paper, measuring paper moisture.

[0028] The method can include measuring paper moisture at a location between a moistening device and a gluing position of the paper. The method can also include measuring paper moisture after the gluing position. Still further, the method can include regulating the moistening device as a function of a signal generated by at least one of the measurements of the paper moisture.

[0029] According to the invention, the paper before gluing can be moistened to a moisture greater than 4%, and the paper before gluing can be moistened to a moisture of at least 6%.

[0030] Further, the paper before gluing is moistened to a moisture of not greater than 10%, and the paper before gluing can be moistened to a moisture of not greater than 8%.

[0031] The invention is directed to a process of the tobacco-processing industry that includes delivering paper to a processing unit, gluing the paper in a gluing position of paper travel, and moistening the paper at a location before the gluing position relative to a direction of paper travel.

[0032] In accordance with still yet another feature of the present invention, the process can include wrapping a rod-shaped product with the paper in the processing unit.

[0033] Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

[0035]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a filter attacher;

[0036]FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged detail of the gluing unit region depicted in FIG. 1;

[0037]FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a further embodiment of the invention; and

[0038]FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a cigarette-making machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0039] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

[0040]FIGS. 1-3 are related to a filter attacher of a cigarette production machine.

[0041] Within covering paper delivery unit 10, the travel of covering paper 12 is shown, beginning at reels 13. After gluing with gluing unit 14, covering paper 12 is delivered to cigarette-making unit 15, where glued covering paper 12 is wound around filters delivered by a filter delivery unit 16 and tobacco sticks delivered by a tobacco stick delivery unit 17. In this manner, the filters and tobacco stick are adhered to each other to form a filter cigarette.

[0042] The covering paper travel leads over a tension roller 20 and a covering edge adjusting device 21 to compensate for axial fluctuations in the travel of covering paper 12 to gluing unit 14. The direction of delivery of covering paper 12 is shown by arrows in FIG. 2. Gluing unit 14 includes a glue pot 22, a glue roller 23 and a transfer roller 24 for the transfer of glue from glue roller 23 and for discharge to covering paper 12 in a gluing position 25 in which covering paper 12 is glued. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, covering paper 12 is in contact with transfer roller 24. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, gluing position 25 is designed as a surface. Following gluing of covering paper 12, the latter is deflected by a deflecting device 26 and guided via covering heating device 27.

[0043] A moistening device 30 is arranged before gluing position, relative to the paper travel direction. From moistening device 30, water delivered from a tank 44 exits to moisten covering paper 12. For this purpose, moistening device 30 is appropriately pressurized. With the paper moisture which is preferably to be obtained and the usual belt speed, as a rule only small quantities of water are applied.

[0044] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, moistening device 30 is designed as a slot nozzle 31 whose slot opening faces toward covering paper 12 and is in contact with it. Slot nozzle 31 can be designed as a micro-nozzle, i.e., with slot widths in the μm range. Slot nozzle 31 abuts against covering paper 12, i.e., it is arranged without a gap between them, so that no water mists emerging from slot nozzle 31 can pass into the interior of the machine. Slot nozzle 31 is arranged after covering edge adjusting device 21 in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, which has been tried and tested in practice, moistening device 30 is constructed in the form of an ultrasonic atomizer 40. Ultrasonic atomizer 40 is arranged before deflecting device 36 and may be arranged before a covering edge adjusting device 21, if necessary. Preferably, moistening device 30 is arranged far enough before gluing position 25 to obtain sufficiently thorough moistening of covering paper 12 before gluing in gluing position 25.

[0046] Ultrasonic atomizer 40 is arranged at a distance from covering paper 12. In order that water leaving ultrasonic atomizer 40 does not pass into the interior of the machine, a capsule housing 41 made, e.g., of acrylic glass is arranged around the water outlet region of ultrasonic atomizer 40. Capsule housing 41 has an outlet window 42 through which the water passes onto covering paper 12. The parts of capsule housing 41 which form outlet window 42 preferably abut against covering paper 12 or are arranged a short distance from the latter. Outlet window 42 allows precise location of the region to be moistened. Preferably, only moistening of the regions of covering paper 12 to be glued is performed. Delivery of water to ultrasonic atomizer 40 can be performed by a continuous proportioning pump.

[0047] Other moistening devices 30 are conceivable, e.g., with a sponge.

[0048] The quantity of water leaving moistening device 30 is variable, e.g., by the water pressure applied. Moistening device 30 can be controlled accordingly by a control device 32. Preferably, regulation of the quantity of water leaving moistening device 30 takes place as a function of the signals measured by a first moisture sensor 33 and/or a second moisture sensor 34, and as a function of the covering paper delivery rate. First moisture sensor 33 is arranged before moistening device 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, first moisture sensor 33 is arranged after covering edge adjusting device 21. Second moisture sensor 34 is arranged after moistening device 30 and before gluing position 25.

[0049] In particular, regulation of the quantity of water can be performed as a function of the signal measured by first moisture sensor 33. The signal of second moisture sensor 34 can then be used just for indication or for monitoring of the covering paper moisture.

[0050] Regulation is performed in such a way that covering paper 12 at gluing position 25 between gluing unit 14 and covering paper 12 has a moisture of preferably 6 to 8%, this being independent of the moisture of covering paper 12 in paper rolls 13.

[0051] The signal of a third moisture sensor 35 which is arranged behind gluing position 25 can also be used to control the quantity of water leaving moistening device 30. This signal can also be used only for indication or for monitoring of the covering paper moisture. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a further regulating unit 43 is provided between second moisture sensor 34 and third moisture sensor 35.

[0052] Moisture sensors 33, 34, and 35 may be optical or capacitive sensors, for example. Radiation sensors which are based on measurement of the absorbed IR radiation by reflection can be used as the moisture sensors, for example.

[0053] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, slot nozzle 31 is arranged in a deflecting mandrel 36 for deflecting covering paper 12. This causes stretching of covering paper 12 in the region of slot nozzle 31, as a result of which homogeneous and precise moistening is achieved.

[0054] The position of moistening device 30 is preferably adjustable relative to covering paper 12, to enable optimum adaptation and obtain optimum moistening. If moistening device 30 is arranged in a mandrel, for example, it is preferably rotatable about its longitudinal axis for the above-mentioned purpose.

[0055]FIG. 4 concerns an application in a continuous rod unit 50 of a cigarette production machine. A continuous tobacco rod delivered from the distributor unit 51 of the cigarette production machine is laid on a strip of cigarette paper 53 by a continuous rod conveyor 52. The strip of cigarette paper 53 is taken off a reel 54, guided through a print unit 55 and laid on a shaper belt 56. Shaper belt 56 transports the continuous tobacco rod and the strip of cigarette paper 53 through a shaper 57 in which the strip of cigarette paper 53 is folded round the continuous tobacco rod, so that one edge is still projecting, which is glued by a gluing apparatus, not shown. Before gluing, the strip of cigarette paper 53 is moistened with a moistening device 58. Moisture sensors 59 and 60 for determining the moisture of the strip of cigarette paper 53 are provided before and after moistening device 58.

[0056] In one application, not shown, in a filter-making machine, the essential differences from the application in FIG. 4 lie in that, instead of the distributor unit 51, a tow treatment unit is provided and the print unit 55 is eliminated.

[0057] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A machine of the tobacco-processing industry comprising: a processing unit; a paper delivery unit structured and arranged to deliver paper to the processing unit, said processing unit being provided for wrapping a rod-shaped product with the paper; a gluing unit structured and arranged for gluing the paper in a gluing position of paper travel; a moistening device, structured and arranged for moistening the paper, that is arranged before said gluing position in a direction of paper travel.
 2. The machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said moistening device comprises a control device to control a quantity of moistening.
 3. The machine in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a first moisture sensor, arranged before said moistening device, for measuring paper moisture.
 4. The machine in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a second moisture sensor arranged between said moistening device and said gluing position for measuring the paper moisture.
 5. The machine in accordance with claim 4, further comprising a third moisture sensor arranged after said gluing position for measuring the paper moisture.
 6. The machine in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a moisture sensor arranged between said moistening device and said gluing position for measuring the paper moisture.
 7. The machine in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a moisture sensor arranged after said gluing position for measuring the paper moisture.
 8. The machine in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a regulating device for regulating said moistening device as a function of at least one signal provided by at least one of said first, second and third moisture sensor.
 9. The machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said moistening device is structured so that the paper to be glued has a moisture greater than 4%.
 10. The machine in accordance with claim 9, wherein the paper to be glued has a moisture of at least 6%.
 11. The machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said moistening device is structured so that the paper to be glued has a moisture of not greater than 10%.
 12. The machine in accordance with claim 11, wherein the paper to be glued has a moisture of not greater than 8%.
 13. The machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said moistening device includes an atomizing device.
 14. The machine in accordance with claim 13, wherein said atomizing device comprises an ultrasonic atomizer.
 15. The machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said moistening device has a capsule housing for confining the water leaving said moistening device.
 16. The machine in accordance with claim 15, wherein said capsule housing is arranged to abut against the paper.
 17. The machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said moistening device is positionally adjustable.
 18. A method for gluing paper in a machine of the tobacco-processing industry, comprising: moistening the paper before gluing.
 19. The method in accordance with claim 18, further comprising, before moistening the paper, measuring paper moisture.
 20. The method in accordance with claim 19, further comprising measuring paper moisture at a location between a moistening device and a gluing position of the paper.
 21. The method in accordance with claim 20, further comprising measuring paper moisture after the gluing position.
 22. The method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising regulating the moistening device as a function of a signal generated by at least one of the measurements of the paper moisture.
 23. The method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the paper before gluing is moistened to a moisture greater than 4%.
 24. The method in accordance with claim 23, wherein the paper before gluing has a moisture of at least 6%.
 25. The method in accordance with claim 18 wherein the paper before gluing is moistened to a moisture of not greater than 10%.
 26. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the paper before gluing has a moisture of not greater than 8%.
 27. A process of the tobacco-processing industry comprising: delivering paper to a processing unit; gluing the paper in a gluing position of paper travel; and moistening the paper at a location before the gluing position relative to a direction of paper travel.
 28. The process in accordance with claim 27, further comprising wrapping a rod-shaped product with the paper in the processing unit. 